Treadmill

ABSTRACT

A treadmill includes a tread platform and a tread platform support with a foot rail pivotally connected to the tread platform and selectively set between a first position and a second position to support the tread platform in a standing posture. 
     When the tread platform support is set in the first position, a strut device of the tread platform and swivel casters of the tread platform support are stopped at the ground to hold the treadmill vertically and positively on the ground. When the tread platform support is set in the second position, two directional rollers of the tread platform and the swivel casters are attached to the ground, enabling the treadmill to be moved easily in any direction. Further, the user can step one leg on the foot rail to shift the position of the tread platform support steadily and safely.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to treadmills and more particularly, to such a treadmill, which is safe in use, and can be erected and steadily positioned on the ground in a standing position when not in use, or easily moved on the ground by means of directional rollers and swivel casters.

2. Description of the Related Art

Treadmill is an exercising apparatus popularly seen in households and sport gyms. To facilitate delivery, a treadmill may be equipped with two directional rollers at the front side of the tread platform. When the rear side of the tread platform is lifted and set in an inclined or erected standing position, the directional rollers are attached to the ground, allowing the treadmill to be moved on the ground to a particular place. However, since the direction rollers can only be rotated forwards and backwards in one direction, the user must employ much effort to lift or rotate the treadmill when it is needed to change the moving direction during movement of the treadmill. This manner is inconvenient and takes tremendous strength.

To solve the aforesaid problem, some manufacturers have directional rollers and swivel casters be installed in a treadmill. By means of the all-direction steering characteristic of swivel casters, the treadmill can easily be changed to a different direction during movement. However, a conventional treadmill equipped with directional rollers and swivel casters has the drawbacks of complicated mechanical design and low level of safety. For example, Taiwan Utility Application No. 093221199 discloses a treadmill with universal casters. According to this design, two directional pulleys are provided at a front floor tube at a tread platform support, and a collapsible swivel caster set is provided at a rear floor tube at the tread platform support. However, when going to shift the swivel caster set from a collapsed condition away from the ground to an operative condition in contact with the ground, the user must lift the rear floor tube from the ground. At this time, the whole treadmill is kept in an inclined condition with the directional pulleys attached to the ground. Under this condition, the treadmill may fall to the ground accidentally.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a treadmill, which is safe in use, and can be erected and steadily positioned on the ground in a standing position when not in use, or easily moved on the ground by means of directional rollers and swivel casters.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, a treadmill comprises a tread platform and a tread platform support with a foot rail pivotally connected to the tread platform and selectively set between a first position and a second position to support the tread platform in a standing posture. When the tread platform support is set in the first position, a strut device of the tread platform and swivel casters of the tread platform support are stopped at the ground to hold the treadmill vertically and positively on the ground. When the tread platform support is set in the second position, two directional rollers of the tread platform and the swivel casters are attached to the ground, enabling the treadmill to be moved easily in any direction.

Thus, when the rack frame of the tread platform support is biased relative to the base frame and positioned in the first position, the strut device is stopped against the ground, and therefore the treadmill stands steadily on the ground. When the rack frame of the tread platform support is set in the second position, two directional rollers of the tread platform and the swivel casters support the treadmill on the ground, enabling the treadmill to be moved easily in any direction.

Further, when shifting the tread platform support between the first position and the second position, the user can step one leg on the foot rail of the tread platform support, enabling the position of the tread platform support to be shifted steadily and safely and preventing treadmill falling risk as see in the prior art design during adjustment of the position of swivel casters.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the tread platform support comprises two swivel casters. In another embodiment of the present invention, the tread platform support comprises one single swivel caster. In other words, either of the aforesaid two arrangements can achieve the effects of the present invention. Further, the number of the swivel caster is not limited to 1 or 2.

Preferably, the base frame of the tread platform comprises at least one pivot holder defining a first locating notch and a second locating notch. The rack frame of the tread platform support comprises at least one coupling end portion. The tread platform support further comprises at least one pivot bolt inserted through the at least one pivot holder and the at least one coupling end portion of the rack frame to pivotally connect the rack frame to the tread platform, and at least one lock pin affixed to the at least one coupling end portion of the rack frame and selectively engaged into one of the first locating notch and the second locating notch of the at least one pivot holder to lock the rack frame to the tread platform in one of a first position and a second position.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the base frame of the tread platform comprises two pivot holders each defining a first locating notch and a second locating notch; the rack frame of the tread platform support comprises two coupling end portions, two pivot bolts and two lock pins. In another embodiment of the present invention, the base frame of the tread platform comprises one pivot holder defining a first locating notch and a second locating notch; the rack frame of the tread platform support comprises one coupling end portion, one pivot bolt and one lock pin. In other words, either of the aforesaid two arrangements can achieve the effects of the present invention, and the number of each related component is not limited to 1 or 2.

Preferably, the coupling end portion of the rack frame comprises an elongated slot; the pivot bolt is inserted through the pivot holder and the elongated slot of the coupling end portion to pivotally connect the rack frame to the tread platform for enabling the tread platform support be moved axially along the elongated slot relative to the pivot holder of the base frame.

Preferably, the treat platform support further comprises a spring member connected to the lock pin and adapted for imparting a pressure to the lock pin toward the pivot holder to force the lock pin into one of the first locating notch and the second locating notch.

Preferably, the rack frame comprises a transverse rod forming the foot rail.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the strut device comprises two strut rods. Each strut rod has a fixed end connected to the front end portion of the base frame of the tread platform, and a free end for stopping against the ground. The treadmill further comprises a handrail frame. The strut device is not limited to the design of the two strut rods. For example, the strut device can be formed of a block member or rod member directly affixed to the front end portion of the base frame of the tread platform, or a protrusion formed integral with and protruded from the front end portion of the base frame.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the handrail frame comprises two pivot portions pivotally connected to the front end portion of the base frame and affixed with the fixed ends of the strut rods. Thus, the strut rods of the strut device are indirectly connected to the front end portion of the base frame of the tread platform by means of the pivot portions of the handrail frame. Alternatively, the strut device can also be directly affixed to the front end portion of the base frame of the tread platform, achieving the same effects, i.e., the connection between the strut device and the front end portion of the base frame of the tread platform is not limited to the disclosed indirection connection design.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the tread platform further comprises two front foot members bilaterally mounted at the front end portion of the base frame, and two rear foot members bilaterally mounted at a rear end portion of the base frame. The front foot members and the rear foot members protrude over a bottom side of the base frame for stopping at the ground to have the free ends of the strut rods and the directional rollers be kept away from the ground when the tread platform is set in a horizontal position to let the bottom side of the base frame face toward the ground. Thus, when the treadmill is set in a horizontal condition for use, the tread platform can be steadily supported on the ground.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will be fully understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference signs denote like components of structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a treadmill in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the handrail frame collapsed.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a standing status of the treadmill.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the lower part of the treadmill shown in FIG. 3 when viewed from another angle.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the lower part of the treadmill shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a vertical side view of the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the tread platform support set in the first position.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 but illustrating the tread platform support set in the second position.

FIG. 8 is a vertical side view of a treadmill in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At first, it must be noted that, in the whole detailed description and claims of the invention, the description of “one component connected to, pivoted to, or mounted at another component” means that the component is connected to, pivoted to or mounted at another component directly, or directly through other means. Further, for a further understanding of the objects, features and advantages of the present invention, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the drawings and specification.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a treadmill 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown comprising a handrail frame 20, a tread platform 30, and a tread platform support 40.

The handrail frame 20 comprises two upright bars 22, and a treadmill console 24 pivotally mounted at the top side of the upright bars 22. Each upright bar 22 comprises a pivot portion 22 a located on the bottom end thereof and pivotally connected to the tread platform 30 in such a manner that the upright bar 22 can be selectively set between an extended operative position shown in FIG. 1 and a received non-operative position shown in FIG. 2. Further, the treadmill console 24 provides two grips 24 a. The user can hold the grips 24 a with the hands when running on the tread platform 30, enhancing running stability. The console panel 24 can also be selectively set relative to the upright bars 22 between the extended operative position shown in FIG. 1 and the received non-operative position shown in FIG. 2. As the structure of the handrail frame 20 is not within the scope of the spirit of the present invention, any conventional design of handrail frame can be used with the tread platform 30, and therefore, no further detailed description in this regard is necessary.

Further, the tread platform 30 comprises a base frame 32, two front foot members 33, two rear foot members 34, a strut device 35, and two directional rollers 36.

The base frame 32 comprises opposing front end portion 32 a and rear end portion 32 b. The front foot members 33 and the rear foot members 34 are respectively mounted at the front end portion 32 a and rear end portion 32 b, and protruding over a bottom side 32 c of the base frame 32. When the tread platform 30 is set in horizontal, as shown in FIG. 1, the front foot members 33 and the rear foot members 34 are stopped at the ground G to support the treadmill 10 steadily on the ground for enabling the user to use it. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base frame 32 comprises two pivot holders 32 d bilaterally located on the bottom side 32 c. Each pivot holder 32 d defines a through hole 32 e, and a first locating notch 32 f and a second locating notch 32 g located on an arched edge thereof, wherein the location of the first locating notch 32 f is relatively closer to a front end portion 32 a of the base frame 32 than the second locating notch 32 g.

In this embodiment, the strut device 35 is formed of two strut rods 35 a. However, in actual application, the strut device 35 can be formed of other components, for example, one or two block members. Each strut rod 35 a has a fixed end 35 b pivotally connected to the pivot portion 22 a of one upright bar 22 of the handrail frame 20, and a free end 35 c for stopping against the ground. Thus, the two strut rods 35 a are indirectly coupled to the front end portion 32 a of the base frame 32 of the tread platform 30 by means of the pivot portions 22 a of the upright bars 22 of the handrail frame 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, when the handrail frame 20 is set in the extended operative position, the strut rods 35 a are kept in an obliquely downwardly extended condition with the free ends 35 c thereof suspending above the ground in a lower front side relative to the front end portion 32 a of the base frame 32 of the tread platform 30. However, when biased the handrail frame 20 from the extended operative position to the received non-operative position shown in FIG. 2, the strut rods 35 a are kept in an obliquely upwardly extended condition with the free ends 35 c thereof suspending in an upper front side relative to the front end portion 32 a of the base frame 32 of the tread platform 30. Further, it is to be noted that the strut device 35, i.e., the two strut rods 35 a can be directly affixed to the front end portion 32 a of the base frame 32 of the tread platform 30 instead of the indirect connection design disclosed in this embodiment.

Further, the two directional rollers 36 are respectively bilaterally mounted at the bottom side of the front end portion 32 a of the base frame 32 of the tread platform 30. The so-called “directional rollers” means that the rollers can only be rotated forwards and backwards in one particular direction, for example, the two directional rollers 36 can simply be rotated in direction toward the front side or back side of the treadmill 10.

Further, the tread platform support 40 comprises a rack frame 42, two swivel casters 43, two pivot bolts 44, two lock pins 45, two spring members 46, and two screw nuts 47.

The rack frame 42 of the tread platform support 40 comprises two support rods 42 a, and two transverse rods 42 b and 42 c connected between the two support rods 42 a at different elevations. Each support rod 42 a comprises a coupling end portion 42 d disposed at the top side thereof, an elongated slot 42 e longitudinally formed in the coupling end portion 42 d, and a through hole 42 f transversely formed in the coupling end portion 42 d below the elongated slot 42 e. Further, the transverse rod 42 c that is disposed relatively closer to the ground has a certain length and works as a foot rail.

Further, the swivel casters 43 are respectively mounted at the bottom ends of the support rods 42 a. The so-called “swivel caster” means the caster is rotatable in any direction, i.e., the swivel casters 43 can be turned about a first axis line S1 as well as a second axis line S2, as shown in FIG. 4.

When assembling the tread platform support 40, tightly and respectively press-fit the two lock pins 45 into the through holes 42 f of the coupling end portions 42 d of the respective two support rods 42 a, and then respectively insert the coupling end portions 42 d of the two support rods 42 a of the two pivot holders 32 d of the base frame 32, and then respectively insert the pivot bolts 44 into the through holes 32 e of the pivot holders 32 d and the elongated slots 42 e of the coupling end portions 42 d of the two support rods 42 a, and then thread the two screw nuts 47 onto the pivot bolts 44. Thus, the rack frame 42 is pivotally connected to the tread platform 30, and the tread platform support 40 can be moved axially along the elongated slots 42 e of the coupling end portions 42 d of the two support rods 42 a relative to the two pivot holders 32 d of the base frame 32.

Thus, when the rack frame 42 is biased relative to the pivot holders 32 d of the base frame 32, the lock pins 45 can be selectively engaged into the first locating notches 32 f or second locating notches 32 g of the pivot holders 32 d of the base frame 32 to lock the rack frame 42 to the base frame 32 in a first position P1 shown in FIG. 6, or a second position P2 shown in FIG. 7. Further, in this embodiment, the spring members 46 are tensile springs, having opposing ends thereof respectively fastened to the pivot bolts 44 and the lock pins 45. Thus, the elastic return force of the spring members 46 can force the lock pins 45 to position in the first locating notches 32 f or second locating notches 32 g of the pivot holders 32 d of the base frame 32, enhancing positioning stability of the tread platform support 40 in the first position P1 or second position P2. It is to be noted that the type and mounting location of the spring members 46 are not limited to what is disclosed. Any other type of spring members capable of providing an elastic return force to for the lock pins 45 toward the pivot holders 32 d of the base frame 32 can be used.

After explanation of the structural features of the component parts of the treadmill 10 and their connection relationship, the operation of the treadmill 10 will be described hereinafter.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the user is going to use the treadmill, the tread platform 30 is set in a horizontal position to let the bottom side 32 c of the base frame 32 face toward the ground G. At this time, the front foot members 33 and rear foot members 34 of the tread platform 30 are stopped at the ground G, the free ends 35 c of the strut rods 35 a and the directional rollers 36 are kept above the ground G, and the tread platform support 40 is kept in the position where the swivel casters 43 are disposed adjacent to the rear end portion 32 b of the base frame 32.

When the user is going to erect the treadmill 10 or to move the treadmill 10 to another place, turn the handrail frame 20 from the extended operative position shown in FIG. 1 to the received non-operative position shown in FIG. 2. At this time, the user can lift the rear end portion 32 b of the base frame 32. When lifting the base frame 32, the free ends 35 c of the strut rods 35 a are stopped at the ground G and work as a fulcrum to support the treadmill 10 on the ground G, enabling the treadmill 10 to be stably lifted to an erected condition. During this operation, the user can step one leg on the foot rail, i.e., the transverse rod 42 c of the rack frame 42 of the tread platform support 40, or the user can apply a pressure through the hand to the tread platform support 40 to bias the rack frame 42 relative to the base frame 32, enabling the lock pins 45 to be engaged into the respective first locating notches 32 f or second locating notches 32 g to lock the tread platform support 40 in the first position P1 shown in FIG. 6, or the second position P2 shown in FIG. 7. Thus, the tread platform 30 is held in a vertical standing posture (see FIG. 6) or a slightly inclined standing posture (see FIG. 7).

As shown in FIG. 6, when the tread platform support 40 is in the first position P1, the strut device 35 of the tread platform 30 and the swivel casters 43 of the tread platform support 40 are kept attached to the ground, and the directional rollers 36 are spaced above the ground, and therefore, the treadmill 10 is positively positioned on the ground.

Further, if the user wishes to move the treadmill 10 under this condition, the user can step one leg on the transverse rod 42 c of the rack frame 42 of the tread platform support 40 and push the base frame 32 with the hands to force the lock pins 45 away from the respective first locating notches 32 f against the spring force of the spring members 46, and then slightly tilt the base frame 32 to let the tread platform support 40 bias relative to the base frame 32, enabling the lock pins 45 to be respectively engaged into the second locating notches 32 g, and therefore the tread platform support 40 is locked in the second position P2 (see FIG. 7). At this time, the direction rollers 36 of the tread platform 30 and the swivel casters 43 of the tread platform support 40 are attached to the ground, and the strut device 35 is kept away from the ground, and therefore, the treadmill 10 can be moved toward any direction easily. Further, after the treadmill 10 is moved to the desired location, the user can one leg on the transverse rod 42 c of the rack frame 42 of the tread platform support 40 to bias the tread platform support 40 from the second position P2 to the first position P1, enabling the tread platform 30 to be received in vertical to save storage space.

As stated above, when the treadmill 10 is not in use, it can be held in a vertical standing posture (see FIG. 6), or a slightly inclined standing posture convenient for movement on the ground in any direction subject to matching of the directional rollers 36 and the swivel casters 43. Further, when adjusting the tread platform support 40 between the first position P1 and the second position P2, the user can step one leg on the transverse rod 42 c of the rack frame 42 of the tread platform support 40, stabilizing transition of the posture of the treadmill 10 and avoiding falling of the treadmill 10 during posture transition.

In the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention, the tread platform support 40 is equipped with two swivel casters 43, however, this arrangement is not a limitation. FIG. 8 illustrates a treadmill in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. According to this second embodiment, the tread platform support 40 simply provides one transverse rod 42 c workable as a foot rail, one swivel caster 43, one pivot bolt 44, one lock pin 45, and one spring member 46; the base frame 32 simply provides one pivot holder 32 d. This arrangement achieves the safe effects as the aforesaid first embodiment of the present invention. Further, in the aforesaid first and second embodiments, the rack frame 42 of the tread platform support 40 uses one transverse rod 42 c as a foot rail. However, this design is not a limitation. The rack frame 42 can be configured to provide any structure close to the ground for stepping by the user.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A treadmill, comprising: a tread platform comprising a base frame, a strut device connected to a front end portion of said base frame, and two directional rollers mounted at said front end portion of said base frame; and a tread platform support comprising a rack frame and at least one swivel caster mounted at said rack frame, said rack frame being pivotally connected to said base frame of said tread platform and selectively set between a first position and a second position to support said tread platform in a standing posture, said rack frame comprising a foot rail disposed near the ground; wherein when said rack frame is in said first position, said strut device of said tread platform and said at least one swivel caster of said tread platform support are attached to the ground and said direction rollers of said tread platform are kept away from the ground; when said rack frame is in said second position, said directional rollers of said tread platform and said at least one swivel caster of said tread platform support are attached to the ground and said strut device is kept away from the ground.
 2. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base frame of said tread platform comprises at least one pivot holder defining a first locating notch and a second locating notch; said rack frame of said tread platform support comprises at least one coupling end portion; said tread platform support further comprises at least one pivot bolt inserted through said at least one pivot holder and said at least one coupling end portion of said rack frame to pivotally connect said rack frame to said tread platform, and at least one lock pin affixed to said at least one coupling end portion of said rack frame and selectively engaged into one of said first locating notch and said second locating notch of said at least one pivot holder to lock said rack frame to said tread platform in one of a first position and a second position.
 3. The treadmill as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one coupling end portion of said rack frame each comprises an elongated slot; said at least one pivot bolt is respectively inserted through said at least one pivot holder and the elongated slot of said at least one coupling end portion to pivotally connect said rack frame to said tread platform for enabling said tread platform support be moved axially along said elongated slot relative to said at least one pivot holder of said base frame.
 4. The treadmill as claimed in claim 3, wherein said treat platform support further comprises at least one spring member connected to said lock pin and adapted for imparting a pressure to said at least one lock pin toward said at least one pivot holder to force said at least one lock pin into one of said first locating notch and said second locating notch.
 5. The treadmill as claimed in claim 4, wherein said rack frame comprises a transverse rod forming said foot rail.
 6. The treadmill as claimed in claim 5, wherein said strut device comprises two strut rods, each said strut rod comprising a fixed end connected to said front end portion of said base frame of said tread platform and a free end for stopping against the ground; the treadmill further comprises a handrail frame, said handrail frame comprising two pivot portions pivotally connected to said front end portion of said base frame and affixed with the fixed ends of said strut rods; said tread platform further comprises two front foot members bilaterally mounted at said front end portion of said base frame and two rear foot members bilaterally mounted at a rear end portion of said base frame, said front foot members and said rear foot members protruding over a bottom side of said base frame for stopping at the ground to have the free ends of said strut rods and said directional rollers be kept away from the ground when said tread platform is set in a horizontal position to let the bottom side of said base frame face toward the ground.
 7. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein said strut device comprises two strut rods, each said strut rod comprising a fixed end connected to said front end portion of said base frame of said tread platform and a free end for stopping against the ground.
 8. The treadmill as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a handrail frame, said handrail frame comprising two pivot portions pivotally connected to said front end portion of said base frame; the fixed ends of said two strut rods are respectively affixed to said pivot portions of said handrail frame.
 9. The treadmill as claimed in claim 8, wherein said tread platform further comprises two front foot members bilaterally mounted at said front end portion of said base frame and two rear foot members bilaterally mounted at a rear end portion of said base frame, said front foot members and said rear foot members protruding over a bottom side of said base frame for stopping at the ground to have the free ends of said strut rods and said directional rollers be kept away from the ground when said tread platform is set in a horizontal position to let the bottom side of said base frame face toward the ground.
 10. The treadmill as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tread platform further comprises two front foot members bilaterally mounted at said front end portion of said base frame and two rear foot members bilaterally mounted at a rear end portion of said base frame, said front foot members and said rear foot members protruding over a bottom side of said base frame for stopping at the ground to have the free ends of said strut rods and said directional rollers be kept away from the ground when said tread platform is set in a horizontal position to let the bottom side of said base frame face toward the ground. 